A few robbers have often visited us before this.
When I had an interview with En-Noor I asked for a
couple of guards, but he refused them, on the plea
that they were unnecessary. Although he knew well
the country is now full of thieves, and told us so,
he never expected this audacious attack of thirteen
maharees! Soudan abounds with thieves, and we
must now always keep watch. May we, however,
in our further progress, have nothing more to fear
than petty larceny; and we shall have reason indeed
to be thankful!

CHAPTER XVIII.

We shift our Encampment—­En-Noor’s Circular—­The Kadi’s Decision—­No
Progress in the Sahara—­Aghadez Gumruk—­Scorpions—­Election of Sultans
in Aheer—­Present of Salutation—­Paying for finding lost
Property—­Courier from the new Sultan—­No Presents sent us—­Notes on
Denham—­A Bornouese Measure—­Intended Razzia—­Firing off
Gunpowder—­Hypotheses of Danger—­Dress and Women—­Enroute to
Bilma—­Soudan Caravan—­Visit from Tintaghoda—­Aheer Honey—­Modes of
Measurement—­Power of En-Noor—­Visits to him from great People—­Stations
on the Bilma Road—­Salt-Trade—­Account of our Pursuers at
Tajetterat—­Costume of the Kailouees—­Their Weapons—­Poisoned
Arrows—­Charms—­Female Dress—­Names of Articles of Costume—­Character of
Kailouees.

Sept. 17th.—­In the morning En-Noor
sent a message that we must immediately move from
our present encampment on our sand-hills, a quarter
of a mile from the town, where we had a pleasant view
of everything in the valley and around, and come near
the people. So in the course of the day we pitched
tents close by the houses of the town. We found
that we were not so much molested by the inhabitants
(i.e. by their curiosity) as we expected.

I had heard in the previous evening that En-Noor,
two or three days ago, had written, by means of one
of the learned men of this place, to all the towns
and villages around him, begging the Sheikhs and people
not to offer us any molestation whilst we were residing
here, under his immediate protection, as his guests,
and as sacred persons recommended to his care.
This shows good-will in the venerable Sultan.
He sent to us this morning the result of the Kadi’s
decision, respecting the robbers. This singular
question was put to the Kadi, “Whether it was
lawful to rob and murder the Christians by night?”
Answer, “No; on the contrary, the Christians
may fire on and kill the Muslim robbers.”
The Sultan, it appears, attaches great importance
to this decision, and counts on it to obtain the suffrages
of all his people in our favour.

Such are the circumstances attending the first visit
of Christians to Aheer! I believe this attack
will do our servants good. They see now, that,
by a little resistance, the most audacious of thieves
will be put to flight. We ourselves shall also
keep better watch for the future.